Bloggers Make a Difference – Taking On The Auto Industry

As Detroit’s automakers struggle to keep market share and make money, a new breed of watchdogs is emerging, thanks to the Internet. They post regular columns on Web sites and send out e-mail newsletters providing blunt, and often colorful, analysis of the auto industry.

They blast corporate strategy, single out top-level executives for failed projects and provide their own thoughts on what the automakers should do to turn things around. Several of the sites have developed a loyal following with thousands of regular visitors.

Whether the companies like them are not, the Internet sites are increasingly pushing information to the public, said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. They quickly circulate news and ideas about the auto companies.

An issue we all face is also brought up about truth and lies and just plain made up stuff.

The downside is that many of these sites don’t have stringent rules for what they publish, Cole said. They don’t always check stories before they run with them.

Still, truth in blogging or not, the bloggers are now not only having an impact, but, according to the article, also invited to the auto industry events in an effort to help educate them, and probably get a more positive opinion on the blogs.

One Comment

Lorelle, great post. I love how blogs really are making a huge difference in the lives of individuals and communities. My own blog played a significant role in undermining a faith-based basketball league scam called the Xzuberant Faith Basketball League. The men who started the scam are now in jail. I’ve written many articles on it but here is one article on blogs making a difference, I thought you might enjoy it.